Paul von ebichsen



P. VON ERIGHSEN. T 0 y I use at.

Patented May 25; 1880.

N PETERS, PNDTO-LITHDGRAFHER. WAYSHINQTON. D C- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PAUL VON ERIOHSEN,OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

TOY INSECT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 227,933, dated May 25, 1880.

Application filed February 28. 1880. a

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, PAUL VoN ERIGHSEN, of Washington, in the county of Washington and District of Columbia, have invented certain Improvements in Toy Insects, of which the following is a specification.

My invention consists in a toy insect having its wings and the rear portion of its body pivoted upon aframe and arranged in such manner that by alternately pulling and slackening a thread with which the toy is furnished the several parts are caused to rise and fall in close imitation of an animate insect.

The invention further consists in providing the toy with prongs or points by which it may be made fast to a table or other object, and in details of construction hereinafter explained.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents the toy complete with the wings and rear portion of the body elevated; Fig. 2, a view showing said parts lowered; Fig. 3, a longitudinal section, and Fig. 4 cross-sections on the lines as my 3 The toy consists, essentially, of a frame pro vided with legs in imitation of those of the insect represented, and having prongs or points, which, being pressed into the wood of a table or door, or hooked into the cloth of a garment or other article, hold the toy against the pulling of its operating thread, two wings pivoted to the sides of the frame, and a part representing the rear portion of the insect pivoted to the rear end of the frame and provided with an inwardly-extending arm, with which the wings are connected and to which the operating-thread is attached, the arrangement being such that by pulling the thread the several parts are caused to rise, while by slackening the same they are permitted to fall.

A 13 represent the wings, which are pivoted to the sides of the frame 0 and extended inward a short distance beyond their pivots, as more clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 4.

D is a part made to represent the rear por tion of the body of the insect, pivoted to the rear end of the frame 0, and furnished with a forwardly extending arm, a, which is connected, by shortlinks b, with the inner edges of the wings A B, inside of the line of their hinges or pivots, as shown in Fig. 4.

The arm a is formed with an eye for the attachment of a thread or hair, 0, which passes down through a hole in the lower side of the frame or body 0, and is carried thence in any desired direction. The frame 0 is provided with legs, which are, in turn, furnished with prongs or points d for securing it in place.

Theparts being thus arranged, it will be seen that as the thread is pulled the arm a, and with it the links I), will be carried downward, thereby causing the wings A B and the por tion D to rise. Upon releasing or slackening the thread the parts will again fall to their original positions. In order that the parts may fall with certainty and without delay a small piece of lead or other heavy substance may be embodied in the part D, as shown in Fig. 3.

While I have shown and described the wings as connected with the arm a by means of links, it is apparent that the links may be omitted, and rigid inwardly-extending arms formed upon or attached to the wings and provided with elongated eyes or slots through which to pass the arm a. The construction shown is, however, preferred. It is likewise apparent that the wings may be arranged to rise and fall and the part D made stationary; but by the construction and arrangement of parts described the operation is rendered easy and perfect, and an exceedingly close imitation of the insect is affbrded.

In the drawings I have represented a very simple and convenient manner of forming the hinges or pivots of the wings and rear body portion, D, consisting in simply bending a wire, 0, into rectangular form, as shown in Fig. 2, and bending or folding the portions which are to turn thereon about said wire, as clearly shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4, the wire being subsequently secured in and made a part of the frame or body 0 5 but any convenient and usual construction of the hinges or pivotsmay beemployed for the purpose.

The insect which I have represented in thedrawings, and which it is preferred to imitate, is a butterfly or moth but other insects having similar movements may be selected.

I am aware that a crawling toy has been provided with points to prevent the feet from slipping, that a toy bird has been provided with rotating wings secured upon a shaft exwings and body portion pivoted to said frame and connected with each other, substantially as shown and described.

2. In a toy, the combination of a frame,

wings, and a body portion pivoted to said frame, and links connecting the wings and body portion, substantially as shown.

8. In a toy, the combination of a frame or body, G, and wings A B, hinged or pivoted thereto and adapted to rise and fall, and extended inward beyond their pivots e to permit the attachment of devices for imparting a rising-and-falling motion to the wings, as described.

4. In a toy insect, the combination, with the pivoted wings, of a pivoted and weighted body portion, arranged to operate as described.

5. A frame for toy insects, provided with prongs or points by which to fasten it in place, adapted to retain the frame in a fixed position when the toy is operated, substantially as described.

PAUL VON ERIOHSEN.

Witnesses:

ELIZA J UNKEN, WILLIAM W; DODGE. 

